Angels Landing

April 26, 2010

On our last day at Zion, we hiked the Angel's Landing Trail. The brochure rated it strenuous but that's not exactly what it was. It's about five miles, round-trip, and gains 1,500 feet in elevation. Unfortunately we chose to do it on a Saturday, the final day of National Parks Week, when admission to all parks was free. About three-quarters of the trail was paved, a bad sign (usually meaning lots of traffic). It was about 10:00 a.m. when we left the trailhead, passing mule deers in the meadow below. The trail wound through dark canyons and up a series of 38 short switch-backs called Walter's Wiggles. By noon we were at a plateau called Scout's Landing, a 1,000 feet above the floor of the canyon, and here the trail got interesting. The trail hugs rock faces with sheer drop-offs of about a thousand feet. The Park Service has installed heavy chains that you can hang onto as you shimmy along the rock. It was very scary—the rock was covered with sand making the footing slippery. What's more, National Parks Week and a gorgeous day brought out throngs of college kids and visitors. I made it across the first part of the rock trail, not looking down and focusing on each step. I'm not usually bothered by heights and I was terrified. At the next plateau, I said no more; Steve kept going. The trail becomes about three feet wide with sheer drop-offs on either side, then continues up the rock with more chains. Steve told me the top never really leveled off, it just kind of slanted down, but the views of the valley below were spectacular. You'll have to look at the photos, like I did. What's more, Steve and others told me that, in fact, that first bit was the worse and I should have kept going. Maybe next time.

E.

Photos